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Cut-throat rivalries are more common in the sweaty world of
sport than the rarefied world of art. But a showdown is on the
horizon, with the underdog in the Aboriginal art market vying to
replace the leader, and enjoying the support of one of Australia's
wealthiest families.

Until now, Sotheby's has been the undisputed frontrunner, having
cornered the market on stand-alone Aboriginal art auctions - as
opposed to incorporating the works in its general art auctions -
since 1996.

But Christie's entered the fray last year, holding its own first
stand-alone, and this year is throwing down the gauntlet, claiming
its upcoming sale of Rover Thomas's Lundari(Barramundi
Dreaming) will fetch "in excess of $1 million", taking the
house into top spot.

"We're very strong, we've got the most expensive Aboriginal
painting to come to the secondary market," said Christie's
Aboriginal art specialist, Shaun Dennison, of its second
stand-alone auction in Melbourne on August 30.

Sotheby's holds the record for an Aboriginal work sold at
auction, with another Thomas painting that fetched $778,750 four
years ago. "That's the one we want to beat," Mr Dennison said,
adding he was rapt the Holmes a Court family - which has put the
painting up for sale - had given Christie's its endorsement.

So why has the family, which reportedly paid about $1500 for the
painting in 1986, gone with Christie's?

Peter Holmes a Court said: "We've had a fair bit to do with both
Sotheby's and Christie's over a long time, both buying and selling,
and so we had the option of either. [Christie's is] pretty serious
about getting into that space [Aboriginal art], and we're confident
[it] would do a very good job with it."

Any other reasons? "Do you think there might be? It is
interesting, but I'll leave it at that."

Mr Dennison believes the painting, on view in Sydney from today,
will sell itself. "It's got all the magic that you could ever
possibly want," he said, pointing to the unique scratches and
splashes of colour that dot the painting.